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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Margarine is made from
vegetable oils, so it contains no cholesterol. Margarine is also higher in
"good" fats — polyunsaturated and monounsaturated — than butter is.
Butter, on the other hand, is made from animal fat, so it contains cholesterol
and high levels of saturated fat.

But not all margarines are
created equal. Some margarines contain trans fat. In general, the more solid
the margarine, the more trans fat it contains. So stick margarines usually have
more trans fat than tub margarines do. Trans fat, like saturated fat, increases
blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. In addition, trans fat
lowers high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol levels.
So skip the stick and opt for soft or liquid margarine instead.

2.Canned foods

Canned foods usually contain
large amounts of sodium or fat. These are of the many bad processed foods that
are made with trans-fats, saturated fats, and large amounts of sodium and
sugar. While excessive sodium can be problematic, the only real danger from
canned food comes from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which causes botulism.
Food-borne botulism is an extremely dangerous form of food poisoning that may
occur when food is improperly heated during the canning process. These
processed foods should be avoided, or at least eaten sparingly.

3.Breads and pastas made with refined white
flour instead of whole grains.

Although there are near infinite
variations, and therefore several healthy variations of this food as well, the
typical pasta you get when you buy your spaghetti, macaroni or noodles, at
least in a grocery store is just plain white flour, mixed with water and eggs
(although the small percentage of egg included don’t contribute much to the
nutritional value of pasta). No vitamins, no minerals, and barely any fiber.
Nothing, except empty carbs, shaped as pasta. Same goes for white bread. Almost
the same dough shaped as bread makes white bread not a great choice. Instead
opt for whole grain or bran breads.

4.Packaged high-calorie snack foods such as
chips and candies

Needless to say snack items such as packaged chips and
candies are loaded with salt, sugar and trans fats. Consumption of food
containing trans-fat has unequivocally been shown to increase the risk of heart
disease by raising levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), and lowering levels of HDL
(good cholesterol).

These snack-time favorites are always a safe bet for high
salt content. Here's how a 1-ounce serving compares.

·Potato
chips = 136 milligrams

·Cheese
puffs = 240 milligrams

·Pretzels
= 385 milligrams

5.Frozen fish sticks and frozen dinners

When you look at the frozen food stall in a store, be
aware that all the preserved food is very high in sodium content. Why is that,
one wonders? Salt (sodium chloride) serves a number of purposes. It helps
prevent spoiling by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, yeast and mold. Salt
also brings out the flavors in food. For example, salt accentuates the
sweetness in cakes and cookies. Salt also helps disguise metallic or chemical
aftertastes in products such as soft drinks. In addition, salt reduces the perception
of dryness in foods such as crackers and pretzels.

6.Packaged cakes and
cookies.

Same goes for packaged cakes and cookies. Very high is
trans fat, salt and sugar content. Even when you bake at home, you know how
much sugar goes into making cakes and cookies, try adding additional salt and
unhealthy trans fat to the list and you will have an idea how unhealthy these
yummy treats actually are.

7.Sugary breakfast
cereals.

Many breakfast cereals contain
very high amounts of sugar, sodium and processed grains. Many also lack basic
nutrients, including proteins and fiber, as a result of the extrusion process,
which damages the whole grain. Breakfast cereal can be good for you if it's
made with 100-percent whole grain and fortified with additional nutrients, but
many breakfast cereals are low in fiber and contain too much sugar.

8.Processed meats

Some studies suggest that eating processed
meats may increase your risk of colorectal, kidney and stomach cancer.
Processed meats include hot dogs, sausage and other packaged lunch meats. These
meats are frequently high in calories, saturated fats and sodium.

9.Juices / Carbonated drinks

While it is true that fruit juice contains
a lot of vitamins but it is at great cost; most fruit juice is pumped up with
extra sugar and aside from a few varieties has its pulp removed. The pulp in
fruit provides essential fiber which can be considered a good counterbalance to
all the natural sugar contained in the fruit. So its always better to ditch
fruit drinks and eat whole raw fruit instead.

10.Processed
Cheese – cheese slices

When
you buy a pre-made sandwich, you're really just paying for its elaborate
packaging — plus a whole lot of salt, fat, and unnecessary additives. For
the average cost of one of these babies ($2.50 to $3.00 per sandwich), you
could make a bigger, better, and more nutritious version yourself.

These
calorie-laden bars are usually stacked at the checkout counter because
they depend on impulse buyers who grab them, thinking they are more
wholesome than a candy bar. Unfortunately, they can have very high fat and
sugar contents and are often as caloric as a regular candy bar. They're
also two to three times more expensive than a candy bar at $2 to $3 a bar.
If you need a boost, a vitamin-rich piece of fruit, a yogurt, or a small
handful of nuts is more satiating and less expensive!

Processed cheese is made
from natural cheese and added to it are other unfermented dairy ingredients,
plus emulsifiers, extra salt and / or food colorings. Some sources also showed that the average
processed cheese you get contains so much salt that you can reach far past the
recommended daily intake with just 2-3 slices of cheese.

"Trans fats are
really like plastic, and when we eat them they incorporate in our cells and the
cells cannot communicate or talk to one another. In turn, hormones are
disturbed, weight gain follows but more troubling, the risk for heart disease,
cancer, stroke, infertility goes up."

Trans fats are
commonly found in commercially fried food and packaged foods, especially baked
goods. But you won't see the phrase, "trans fat" in the list of
ingredients. Instead, look for the word, "hydrogenated."

A bad diet
is high in both sugar and salt content amongst other unhealthy contents.If
you succeed in planning your diet around fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, lean protein, and good fats, you may find yourself naturally cutting
back on foods that can get in the way of your healthy diet.

Sugar

Sugar causes energy ups and downs and can add to health and weight
problems. Unfortunately, reducing the amount of candy, cakes, and desserts we
eat is only part of the solution. Often you may not even be aware of the amount
of sugar you’re consuming each day. Large amounts of added sugar can be hidden
in foods such as bread, canned soups and vegetables, pasta sauce, margarine,
instant mashed potatoes, frozen dinners, fast food, soy sauce, and ketchup.
Here are some tips:

Avoid sugary
drinks.
One 12-oz soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar in it, more than the daily
recommended limit! Try sparkling water with lemon or a splash of fruit
juice.

Salt

Most of us
consume too much salt in our diets. Eating too much salt can cause high blood
pressure and lead to other health problems. Try to limit sodium intake to 1,500
to 2,300 mg per day, the equivalent of one teaspoon of salt.

Be careful when
eating out. Most restaurant and fast food meals are loaded with
sodium.

Opt for fresh or
frozen vegetables instead of canned vegetables.

Try slowly
reducing the salt in your diet to give your taste buds time to
adjust.

Add to your healthy diet:

Monounsaturated fats, from plant oils like canola oil, peanut
oil, and olive oil, as well as avocados, nuts (like almonds, hazelnuts,
and pecans), and seeds (such as pumpkin, sesame).

Polyunsaturated fats, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, found in fatty
fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and some cold
water fish oil supplements. Other sources of polyunsaturated fats are
unheated sunflower, corn, soybean, flaxseed oils, and walnuts.

What are the implications of a bad diet

An unhealthy diet leads to many
problems and never ending trips to the doctor. Amongst many issues that can
spring from having a bad diet obesity, cardiovascular diseases and depression
are the most common ones.

Obesity:One common consequence of a bad diet is obesity, or excess
body weight. A poor diet which is high in processed food can lead to excess
weight gain because many such foods are calorie-dense, and cause one to overeat
on a daily basis. To help prevent obesity, consider adding nutrient-dense but
calorie-sparse foods, such as vegetables, into your diet, and develop good
portion control in order to avoid overeating.

Cardiovascular Disease: Another
possible consequence of a poor diet is an increased risk of cardiovascular
disease, which can affect the heart and the blood vessels throughout your body.
The processed foods that make up a large part of a poor diet often contain high
levels of sodium, or salt. High levels of salt intake can cause fluid retention
in your bloodstream, leading to high blood pressure. In addition, the saturated
fat found in several junk foods can lead to the accumulation of cholesterol
within your blood vessels, increasing your risk for a heart attack and stroke.

Depression:A poor diet can also affect your
emotional health, and may contribute to the development of mental disorders
like depression. A poor diet generally, contains an imbalance of two types of
essential fatty acids important in brain functioning: over consuming omega-6
and under consuming omega-3 fatty acids. It is important to change your diet to
include sources of omega-3 fatty acids may help relieve depression in some
cases. Good sources of healthy fat are needed to nourish your brain, heart, and
cells, as well as your hair, skin, and nails. Foods rich in certain omega-3
fats called EPA and DHA are particularly important and can reduce
cardiovascular disease, improve your mood, and help prevent dementia. To help correct
an omega fatty acid imbalance and potentially reduce your risk of depression,
consume sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and walnuts, several times
a week.

How sugar is hidden on food labels

Check food
labels carefully. Sugar is often disguised using terms such as:

cane sugar or
maple syrup

corn sweetener
or corn syrup

honey or
molasses

brown rice
syrup

crystallized
or evaporated cane juice

fruit juice
concentrates, such as apple or pear

maltodextrin
(or dextrin)

Dextrose,
Fructose, Glucose, Maltose, or Sucrose

How salt is hidden on food labels

Sodium-free: Less than 5 milligrams of sodium per
serving

Very low-sodium: 35 milligrams or less per serving

Low-sodium: Less than 140 milligrams per serving

Reduced sodium: Sodium level reduced by 25%

Unsalted, no salt added, or without added salt: Made
without the salt that's normally used, but still contains the sodium
that's a natural part of the food itself.

When you're scanning a food label,
don't just look for the word "salt." Watch out for various forms of
sodium or other names for the same thing:

sodium alginate

sodium ascorbate

sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)

sodium benzoate

sodium caseinate

sodium chloride

sodium citrate

sodium hydroxide

sodium saccharin

sodium stearoyl lactylate

sodium sulfite

disodium phosphate

monosodium glutamate (MSG)

trisodium phosphate

Na

Be sure to look for products that are made with more whole
grains, less sodium and have fewer calories. They should also be low in
saturated fat and free of trans-fats. Make sure you pay attention to serving
size, too, and balance out the processed foods with more fresh foods. If you
choose a convenient meal, add a garden salad, fresh vegetables, and some whole
grain bread to make the meal healthier.